How to Blog Effectively

I learned how to blog from comedians. Comedians taught me the basic steps to writing articles for my blog. It was easy.

Listening to the comedy channel on XM radio gave me confidence and taught me a framework for learning to copy-write (i.e. writing blogposts). While they technically didn’t invent blogging, I found the process to be the same.

Joke vs. Post

Comedians write jokes, we create posts, or articles. Both start with a concept which must be refined for a specific audience. The comic will rehearse to maximize the impact of the punch line while the copywriter will rewrite and edit her article hoping to convey her message in a clear, concise manner.

I usually write the rough copy as fast as I think of my points, not taking time to spell check or even write in complete sentences. I’ll rewrite to expand some ideas and cut out the repetitive, meaningless words. Subheadings come last. When I get stuck, I’ll work on something else. There is a process, and just like a great joke, a great article shouldn’t be rushed.

When ready, the comedian incorporates the joke in a new routine. So, too, the blogger “publishes” her article.

Speak to One Audience

No joke is funny to everyone., just as your post will not resonate with all of your readers. Just as you may laugh at a joke, the person sitting next to you may not. With the next joke, however, the reverse may happen…she laughs and you don’t.

Your articles should answer one question or solve one problem at a time. Doing so, will allow you to be most relevant to those with that same exact problem. It’s too hard to write an answer for several problems at the same time. You’ll lose relevance.

Some articles will work, some won’t. You can not appeal to everyone.

As the comedian can not tell more than one joke at a time, your articles should be focused on one answer at a time. One post should contain one message.

Becoming a Fan

Every comedian has hundreds of jokes in her arsenal, just as a blogger has many posts (articles).

Building a following for your blog is the same as listening to a comedian run through her routine. You’ll like some of the jokes and your neighbor likes others, but you both become a fan as, overall, the jokes are funny and appreciated by both of you.

With time, your articles will reflect your attitudes, views and your style. People who like your style become your fans and will begin to follow you.

Feedback

Feedback is important, too. A comic gets immediate feedback from laughter. We get feedback from analytics and the comments left on our website.

Just as a comedian drops bad jokes from her routine. Use analytics to determine what type of articles work and don’t work for your audience. Write additional or related articles to those that work. Drop what doesn’t work.